The Arizona champion., 1887-04-02
CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Clarence W. Neal, Q Brakeman on the Mineral Belt Construction Train
 Killed by an Accident.

the issue of the CHAMPION was out, one of the most deplorable acci. dents that has occurred in this neigh. borhood took place on the Mineral Belt railroad, resulting in the death oi the brakeman of the construction train, Clarence W. Neal.
 This train, which runs between the junction at Flagstaff and the front, carrying material and the employees engaged in building the road, left the Mill town crossing about I:3o P. Nj. on Saturday afternoon, proceeding towards the front. Ahead ofthe engine and being pushed by it, was stock car which contained a number of men known as the surfacing gang, who had been to the Mill Town boarding house for their dinner and were going back to their work.
 The deceased was riding on the top of the stock car in front attending to his brakeing duties. When the train had proceeded about a quarter of a mile on its way and was travelling at the rate of about ten miles an hour, the stock car left the track, throwing MT. Neal from his position on the roof. The engine was reversed and stopped as rapidly as possible, but not before 1t had swerved the car com pletely around and passed it about fifty feet. In the cab of the engine, beside the engineer and fireman, was MT. C. Vining, the conductor. As soon as the engine was stopped and it's occupants could get back to the deralled car they found MT. Neal sit. ting on the ties near the truck wheels feariully mangled, both of his legs being broken and his face so bruised and bleeding that he was scarcely rec ognizable. All of the occupants of the car had escaped unhurt.
 As quickly as possible assistance was procured and the wounded man was ta- ken to the office of the tie contractors, Messrs. Holzmann and Kennedy, near ty. Dr. D. J. Brannen and the in- Ijured mans wife and relatives were soon present and an examination by the physician soon showed that there was no hopes of the unfortunate mans recovery. Both legs were badly frac- tured, several ribs and the bone of the jaw broken. Dr. Brannen informed MT. Neal that the only chance of pro- longing lis life was by amputation of both legs and that the operation would be attended with great danger. The poor fellow was perfectly conscious and the Doctor retired to give him the opportunity oi saying few words to his wife. The Doctor was shortly afterwards summoned to return, on the information that his patient was dy. ing, which proved 10 be the case. AT ter suffering great pain for about two hours, which was borne with heroic foTtllude, Mir. Neal sank and died, from loss of blood and shock to his system.
 An inquest was held on the body by Geo. II. Tinker, JustIce of the Peace and jury consisting of M, 5. Beal, A. C. Morse, Geo. Prime. Jas. O'Neil. D J. Coakley, Al Gregg, Geo. Black, F. NJ. Sheldon and Nj. Roach.
 Dr. D. J. Brannen testified as 10 the condition in which. he found the deceased and the ,naturr of his inju- rics. Conductor Vlning, ]. E. Flynn. engineer, r.J. Carter, fireman, and w. l.. Dykes who was riding on the pilot of the engine at the time of the accident, gave evidence whlch cor, roborated the circumstances as above stat. d. The investigation was then adjourned until Monday, the jury dc. lsiring to visit the scene of the acci- dent to examine the track.
 On Monday the inquest was resum. ed, the jury having in company with the coroner visited the place where the accident occurred. General McDon . ell, vice president of the road and chief engineer, s. A. Butler, one of the trustees of the road and Al Doyle Foreman, were examined. Their tes- timony went to show that the road was in as good condition as railroads usually are during the process of building and that every precaution was taken by tile management to en. sure the employees from risk of acci. dent. That, orders had been gwen by Gen. McDonell not to travel fast. CT than six miles an hour although the road was deemed.perfectly.safe 10 travel over at the rate of ten miles an hour.
 The jury77 returned; the following verdict:
 "That Clarence w. Neal came to his death on the 26th. day of March, A. D, 1881, in this county by injuries received while working on the Miner al Belt railroad. Said injuries were received by being thrown from car which had left the track and which ran over him. We, the jurors exon. crate the officers and employees of the Mineral Belt railroad from any blame on their part"
 MT. Neal was universally respected by his associates in his railroad work and by all of his, acquaintances. He was little over a5 yeary of age and native of the state of Indiana. Not quite three months since he was mar ried to the daughter of MT. and Mrs.